If you look in the right hand column (scroll down) under “Search details,” you can see exactly what PubMed searched for.

Remember to unclick if you want to change your filters.

With acupuncture search terms, simple is often best if you’d like a large selection of results. With limited numbers of acupuncture trials on many topics, over-filtering or being too specific with your terms can limit results. For example, if you just want to find any acupuncture trials, type “acupuncture” into the search box on the front page. You can then choose the “Clinical Trials” filter in the left-hand column.

Try different terms with the same or similar meaning using multiple independent searches to widen search results. For instance, try a search for “headache” and then a search for “migraine” and then for “head pain.” Be creative. Researchers often use a variety of similar terms in their own searches when looking for articles for systematic reviews.

CENTRAL. Also from the Cochrane Library. The Central Register for Controlled Trials.

AcuTrials. A collection of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of acupuncture published in the English language. The database is compiled primarily from PubMed, the Cochrane Library and the OCOM library.